“The Class of 2018 is one of our most distinguished to date,” says CEO/Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks. “These students have had an impressive career in Gwinnett County Public Schools and have been lauded for their academic, athletic, and civic accomplishments. They have earned prestigious awards and scholarships, state championships, and have left their mark on our schools and within our community. Graduation is the capstone of their K-12 academic careers and we wish them well and congratulate them on their hard work and persistence, knowing they are ready for the future. And, while the focus is on the graduates at this time of year, I also would like to thank their families and the thousands of teachers who provided support and guidance to them throughout the years.”
The senior report for the Class of 2018 shows that:
• 84% of the students graduating this year report that they plan to continue their education by attending college or postsecondary schools. The vast majority, or 84% of them, plans to attend college in Georgia.
• These seniors have been offered, as of April 2018, more than $207 million in academic, athletic, and military scholarships.
• The majority of the scholarship amount, more than $106.5 million, was earned for academic achievement. Gwinnett students also received more than $93 million in athletic scholarships and more than $7.6 million due to military appointments. The monetary awards do not include HOPE, the QuestBridge Scholarship recipients, or the Gates Scholarship recipients.
• One of only three Georgia students and 161 throughout the nation honored as a U.S. Presidential Scholar hails from Gwinnett County Public Schools. The scholars are selected based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.
• As of May of 2018, 22 Gwinnett seniors earned a full scholarship through the QuestBridge College Match Program. Seven of the seniors are Gwinnett School of Math, Science and Technology graduates.
• Nine of the nation’s 300 Gates Scholarship recipients for 2018 are Gwinnett students. This prestigious scholarship program provides an all-expenses-paid scholarship to high-potential, low-income minority students. It also provides support to Scholars, by engaging with them and their institutions in a way, to ensure they have access to the resources and services they need.
• Nineteen students received military appointments.
• Mill Creek High graduates the largest class this year with 911 students, closely followed by Brookwood High with 838, and Peachtree Ridge High with 801
• The Class of 2018 also includes 3,246 Honor Graduates, who are graduating with a grade percent average of 90 or better.
• During high school, 7,100 seniors took Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
• While members of the Class of 2018 were working on their high school diploma, 1,231 of them also earned college credit through dual enrollment. Several of these honor students were recognized as the highest ranking students in their school, earning the title of valedictorian or salutatorian. They are:
The graduation ceremonies for Gwinnett’s Class of 2018 will take place as follows:
